Woman charged in connection with Maple Ridge teen's death

Gerry Bellett, Vancouver Sun10.02.2009

Julie Raymond (left), the mother of Shannon Raymond, and Danielle Raymond, the sister, address the media from beside the picture of Shannon on Friday in Maple Ridge. Shannon died last year, and the RCMP today announced charges will be laid in her death.Ian Lindsay
/ Vancouver Sun

Shannon Raymond, 16, of Maple Ridge, died after spending a night out with friends in July 2008. Police have been investigating the case since then....
/ Handout

METRO VANCOUVER -- A 40-year-old woman has been charged with failing to provide the necessaries of life to 16-year-old Shannon Raymond who police and ambulance crews found lifeless when called to a Maple Ridge home on the morning of July 26, 2008.

Ridge Meadows RCMP Supt. Dave Walsh described the charge against Victoria Turley as rare and while it had taken a year to gather evidence police and crown counsel wanted to ensure they had sufficient information to obtain a conviction, he said.

The case is certain to highlight the issues surrounding the responsibilities of adults when they allow other people’s children to party in their home.

Walsh wouldn’t release Turley’s name at a news conference called Friday to announce the arrest. He simply described her as a “former resident of Maple Ridge.”

Walsh and investigators also refused to give any details surrounding the events which led to the teen’s death.

They wouldn’t say where they believed she died, or if alcohol or drugs were involved in her death saying they didn’t want to contaminate the evidence that would be presented in court.

However, the information sworn by RCMP Cpl. Jennifer Hyland -- the lead investigator -- in Port Coquitlam Provincial Court gives an insight into what might have happened.

“Victoria Turley, on or about the 26th day of July, 2008, at or near Maple Ridge ... did fail without lawful excuse to provide the necessaries of life to Shannon Raymond, a person under the charge of Victoria Turley and unable to withdraw herself from such charge and unable to provide herself with the necessaries of life by reason of illness or other cause, by failing to seek medical treatment for Shannon Raymond and so endangered the life of Shannon Raymond contrary to Section 215 (2)(b) of the Criminal Code,” reads the charge.

A conviction under the charge could lead to a prison sentence of up to five years.

Turley was arrested and charged Thursday and was released from custody and is to appear in court Oct. 15.

Walsh said Shannon had been attending a social function at a private residence.

(An address for a Victoria Turley is shown as 22033-119 Ave., Maple Ridge, in the phone book.)

“This has been a long investigation under very trying circumstances. Police officers deal with sudden death files and most of the time we find natural causes played the major role. We don’t often have to deal with a teenager’s death.

“Shannon was in the care of the accused and was in medical distress but this was not addressed,” said Walsh.

He said police and paramedics were called to attend a Maple Ridge home at 6 a.m. “where they located the lifeless body of Shannon.”

Her mother delivered a tearful eulogy. After thanking the RCMP she said her role there “was to breathe life into the photograph you see at the end of the table. For us she’ll be forever sixteen.”

She said Shannon was a force to be reckoned with when playing soccer and won many awards.

“Anyone who met her would tell you her enthusiasm was contagious. She was vibrant, loving, determined and had a zest for life,” she said.

“Nothing is so strong as gentleness and nothing is a gentle as true strength and Shannon had it all,” she said.

Asked if she knew the accused, she said no, but she did have knowledge of the woman’s family.

She was asked if there was anything that could be learned from what happened.

“Yes, to be aware of who is in your home and to listen to your gut. If your gut is telling you something is wrong better follow through -- better to be safe than sorry,” she said.

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

Share

Woman charged in connection with Maple Ridge teen's death

Video

Today's Headline Videos

Best of Postmedia

“And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were, the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, ‘Come and see.’ And I saw, and behold a white elephant, and he that sat upon him had a crown, which he wore atop his fiery hair, and […]

Millennials, amirite? They’re nothing but Instagram-happy, emoji-LOL-ing, mannequin-challenging navelgazers. Or so the theory goes. How can they put their pants on one leg at a time, like everyone else, when they’re sausaged into skinny jeans? Yet when it comes to […]

An Ottawa judge has thrown out a romance fraud case that has taken more than four years to go to trial, ruling that the excessive delay has robbed the accused man of his right to a fair trial. Ontario Superior Court Justice Kevin Phillips on Friday stayed the case against Kevin Bishop of Ottawa, who had […]

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.